CHANGING SIDES

"When they found Him on the other side of the lake, they said to Him, 'Rabbi, when did You come here?' " —John 6:25

Jesus often went from one side of the Sea of Galilee to the other. Many times the crowd following Jesus found themselves left behind on the other side of the lake. When Jesus changed sides, He temporarily lost the crowd.

Does Jesus lose you when He changes sides? For example, when Jesus changed from healing to suffering, He lost almost everybody. When He changed from a Jewish-only Church to a Gentile-Jewish Church, Jesus lost some. Jesus changed sides of the lake through Vatican II's challenge to the laity and lost many people. In the USA, Jesus has changed from helping an immigrant Church survive to evangelizing our church, neighborhoods, country, and world. Many people find themselves left behind, on the wrong side of the lake.

How do we know when Jesus changes sides? If we're working for perishable food (see Jn 6:27), if we're focused on ourselves, we're probably on the wrong side. However, if we're walking by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7), we're probably on the same side as is Jesus (see Jn 6:29).

Prayer: Father, may I change sides from a pleasure-seeking, self-centered lifestyle to a Christ-centered lifestyle of service, self- denial, and evangelization.

Promise: "Stephen...was a man filled with grace and power, who worked great wonders and signs among the people." —Acts 6:8

Praise: Robert used his gift of language to serve God by leading worship in Latin, English, and Spanish.

(Did you know the 40-day Discipleship Program has the goal of forming mature Christians who are deeply rooted in the imitation of Jesus? These newly formed disciples will go out to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19) and thereby form a new "civilization of love" (Pope Paul VI). The program begins June 27 and is followed by the Bible Institute in late July. For more information, call 937-587-5464 or 513-373-2397.)

Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from April 1, 2009 through May 31, 2009.†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 3, 2008.

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.